Translator: CinderTL
The spacious and comfortable room was illuminated by a crystal chandelier, casting light on the carved furniture and soft Persian carpets.
Silk curtains swayed gently in the breeze, revealing the bustling harbor scene outside the window.
A long oak dining table draped with a silk tablecloth stood against one wall, while a gleaming copper bathtub occupied a corner alcove, with plush velvet bathrobes neatly hung nearby.
Beside the fireplace, a cushioned armchair offered a perfect view of the brass clock on the mantelpiece, its pendulum swinging with precise rhythm.
The slightly ajar wardrobe revealed spare clean blankets.
The overall atmosphere was warm and natural, yet subtly luxurious.
Compared to this, the simple dormitory in the manor seemed utterly shabby.
"Mr. Roland," Colin said, his round face displaying a perfectly polite smile after showing Roland around the room. "Would you like me to arrange for a servant to attend to your needs?"
When Roland shook his head, Colin tactfully refrained from further inquiries, simply pointing to a hanging cord on the wall. A delicate brass bell was tied to the end of the rope.
"If you require anything else, simply ring the bell at any time, and we will send someone immediately."
"Thank you, Mr. Colin."
"You're too kind," Colin said with a slight bow before turning to leave.
As the door closed softly behind him, Roland finally exhaled a long sigh of relief.
Ignoring the throbbing pain throughout his body, he carefully removed the nearly tattered formal attire and slowly stepped into the steaming hot bath.
As the perfectly warm water enveloped his body, he involuntarily let out a comfortable sigh, then leaned back against the tub's edge and began to reflect on the heart-stopping battle he had just endured.
"After activating Battle Frenzy, the rate of increase in my strength and agility attributes was even faster than I had anticipated, but this increase was completely different from the attribute growth I experienced during my job advancement."
Roland stared at his slightly trembling hands, lost in thought.
"The attribute enhancements from my job advancement felt innate, like something I was born with. After a little adjustment, they became as natural as an extension of my own limbs. But the attributes forced upon me by Battle Frenzy felt like an external force forcibly injected into my body..."
Recalling the sensation of his body nearly bursting during the battle, Roland gently massaged his temples.
"Once it exceeds the body's limits, it turns against you."
With this thought, Roland lowered his head to examine his arms.
Beneath his skin, purplish-blue veins writhed like earthworms, constantly expanding and contracting with each heartbeat, as if they might burst at any moment.
"It seems that when using Battle Frenzy, one must not only resist the erosion of reason but also constantly monitor the body's endurance. However..."
Roland frowned, stroking his chin as he mentally calculated.
"After activating Battle Frenzy earlier, it lasted for less than two minutes. That duration should be the current limit of my body's threshold."
"But for actual combat, two minutes is more than enough to turn the tide of battle..."
Recalling the near-overwhelming strength and agility he had experienced, Roland unconsciously licked his dry lips.
In the steaming mist of the hot water, his gaze sharpened.
"Trading two or three days of rest for two minutes of peak performance is a worthwhile trade. Moreover..."
A confident smile touched his lips.
"As my strength grows, this duration will only increase. As for other combat techniques..."
Roland's fingertips unconsciously tapped against the bathtub, producing a rhythmic, light sound.
In his mind, he replayed every detail of his battle with Gondar. The combat techniques that had erupted in the face of death were now being dissected with cold precision.
The combat skills granted by Short Blade Mastery, the body flexibility and ambidexterity of Twin Performance, combined with the effortless strength of Steel Heart Resonance...
"The combined effect of these three is even stronger than I'd anticipated. And..."
After the recent practical training, Roland gained a deeper understanding of Twin Performance.
"This perfect synchronization of both hands..."
He slowly raised his arms, maintaining a perfectly symmetrical posture in the mist.
"Perhaps it's not limited to cold weapon combat. If I can master mental power control..."
Roland formed a sword-holding stance with his left hand and spread his right fingers as if casting a spell.
"Simultaneous melee combat and trick-casting... No, if I can push it even further..."
The image of two Fire Arrows, coalescing in his palms and weaving into a net before his eyes, sent his heart racing. The water surface trembled slightly in response.
But after a moment, Roland slowly shook his head.
"Mental power control training is far more challenging than I'd imagined. It's a skill that requires time and patience to hone. There's no rushing it."
Lost in thought, Roland scooped up warm water from the bathtub.
After washing the bloodstains from his body, Roland went to the wardrobe and changed into a clean bathrobe.
He was about to drink some water to soothe his dry throat when heavy footsteps echoed from outside the door.
Soon, a knock sounded, accompanied by a deep voice.
"Roland, may I come in?"
"Of course."
Hearing the familiar voice, Roland hurried forward.
As the door opened, a towering figure clad in black plate armor appeared before him.
"Lord Gondar, please come in."
Roland bowed slightly to make way, his gaze involuntarily drawn to the silver-gleaming longsword in the other man's hand.
The sword was unadorned, its simple lines tracing a perfect curve. Every inch of metal seemed to radiate a cold, sharp edge.
"Mithril!"
Though his gaze lingered on the sword for only a moment, Roland's solid knowledge of forging allowed him to immediately recognize the weapon's precious material.
According to the knowledge Hawk had imparted, Mithril was an incredibly rare and mysterious metal, currently only mined in small quantities within the strictly controlled territories of the dwarves.
Mithril artifacts were not only incredibly durable but also lighter and more agile than weapons made from other metals.
If a craftsman's forging skills were exceptional, a Mithril weapon could be considered the ultimate treasure coveted by all warriors.
"Heh."
Noticing the burning gaze Roland fixed on the longsword in his hand, Gondar chuckled softly and placed it on the wooden table before him.
"Try it out. This is a reward from His Majesty Monen—a Mithril longsword forged by dwarves."
Forged by dwarves?
At those words, Roland's breath quickened.
On the Faen Continent, each race possessed unique skills. In the realm of forging, the dwarves' craftsmanship was unparalleled.
A Mithril longsword meticulously crafted by dwarven artisans was an invaluable treasure, virtually priceless across the Faen Continent. Even if one were to spend their entire fortune, they might still fail to acquire one.
Yet now, this magnificent weapon belonged to him!
"Thank you, Lord Gondar."
After murmuring his gratitude, Roland eagerly grasped the Mithril longsword.
It felt cool to the touch, yet carried a subtle warmth. Swinging it felt no different from wielding an ordinary iron sword, save for its slightly lighter weight.
However, through the unique properties of Steel Heart Resonance, Roland could keenly sense a clear difference in quality between the two swords.
If they were to clash, the iron sword's blade would likely chip instantly, while the Mithril longsword would remain completely unscathed.
"If you had been wielding this Mithril longsword back in Pine Wood Town against the Aberrant Kobold, you probably could have sliced through its tough scales even without using the Momentum Slash combat technique," Gondar said, his voice deep and steady as he watched Roland's fond admiration.
"In addition to this Mithril longsword, His Majesty Monen has also prepared a set of armor for you."
Armor too!
Given the precedent of the Mithril longsword, the armor bestowed by King Monen was bound to be extraordinary.
At this thought, Roland felt some of his aches and pains ease.
But before he could fully savor this surprise, Gondar spoke again.
"Once you've recovered, you can collect the armor from Mr. Colin. Also..."
The renowned knight reached into a leather pouch at his waist and produced a well-preserved parchment scroll.
Bathed in sunlight, the scroll's surface gleamed with a warm, lustrous sheen.
(End of the Chapter)
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